Storage receptacle stacking system

ABSTRACT

Provided is a storage receptacle stacking system comprising a set of receptacles. Each receptacle is an open rectangular prism defined by, a back panel, which has a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a left edge, and a first back panel surface, and a set of side panels. The set of side panels has top, bottom, left, and right panels. Each receptacle is removably engaged to at least one other receptacle by a first set of fasteners. For each receptacle, at least one of the panels in the set of side panels is adjacent to and parallel with at least one of the panels in the set of side panels of another receptacle, and any one of the panels in the set of side panels may be engaged in the alternative with any one of the panels in the set of side panels of any other receptacle.

This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 62/144,596, filed Apr.8, 2016, entitled Storage Receptacle Stacking System, the contents ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference.

I. BACKGROUND

The present teaching generally relates to methods and apparatusesconcerning storage articles, and more specifically relates to methodsand apparatuses concerning a storage receptacle stacking system.

It is desirable to provide storage articles, in particular, open boxstyle five-sided receptacles. These open receptacles may be used forstorage and these receptacles may be stacked to provide a stackedstorage system.

Ready to assemble furniture has been around since the late 1940s.Companies such as Sauder have been producing ready to assemble itemssince the 1950s.

It remains desirable to provide a ready to assemble storage receptaclestacking system.

II. SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present subject matter provided isa storage receptacle stacking system comprising a set of receptacles.Each receptacle is an open rectangular prism defined by, a back panel,which has a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a left edge, anda first back panel surface, and a set of side panels. The set of sidepanels has top, bottom, left, and right panels. Each receptacle isremovably engaged to at least one other receptacle by a first set offasteners. For each receptacle, at least one of the panels in the set ofside panels is adjacent to and parallel with at least one of the panelsin the set of side panels of another receptacle, and any one of thepanels in the set of side panels may be engaged in the alternative withany one of the panels in the set of side panels of any other receptacle.

Still other benefits and advantages of the present subject matter willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon areading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present subject matter is described hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an orthogonal projection of a first example of a top panelshowing multiple views.

FIG. 2 is an orthogonal projection of a first example of a bottom panelshowing multiple views.

FIG. 3 is an orthogonal projection of a first example of a left panelshowing multiple views.

FIG. 4 is an orthogonal projection of a first example of a right panelshowing multiple views.

FIG. 5 is an orthogonal projection of a first example of a back panelshowing multiple views.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first example of a receptacle.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first example of two engagedreceptacles.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first example of six engagedreceptacles.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first example of six engagedreceptacles.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first example of nine engagedreceptacles.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first example of ten engagedreceptacles.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a first example of a removablefastener.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a first example of a split ring.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second example of a receptacle.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a wireframe representation of a secondexample of a receptacle.

FIG. 16 is an orthogonal projection of a second example of a top panelshowing multiple views.

FIG. 17 is an orthogonal projection of a second example of a back panelshowing multiple views.

FIG. 18 is an orthogonal projection of a second example of a side panelshowing multiple views.

FIG. 19 is a view of various mechanical fasteners.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating the present subject matter only and not for purposes oflimiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood torefer to like components, FIGS. 1-5 show views of panels of one exampleof a storage receptacle. FIGS. 6-11 show various non-limiting examplesof a storage receptacle stacking system. FIGS. 12-13 show onenon-limiting example of a mechanical fastener usable in a storagereceptacle stacking system. FIGS. 14-19 show a non-limiting example of areceptacle and the panels and fasteners. As used herein the terms top,bottom, left, right, and back are used for ease of understanding andconvenience, but are not to be intended to be limiting: the apparatusmay have any orientation in space.

FIG. 6 shows one non-limiting example of a first receptacle 110 of astorage receptacle stacking system 100 which comprises a set ofreceptacles 105. The first receptacle 110 is a hollow, open rectangularprism. The first receptacle 110 is defined by a back panel 122 and a setof side panels 130. In the non-limiting example of first receptacle 110,the first receptacle 110 is a rectangular prism and, the set of sidepanels 130 has four panels, one for each side of the rectangular prismbase defined by the rectangular back panel 122. In other examples, areceptacle may be a hexagonal prism where the set of side panels has sixpanels, or a triangular prism where the set of side panels has threepanels, or a trapezoidal prism where the set of side panels has fourpanels, or a prism form of a Penrose tile (that is, a prism having thecross-section of a Penrose tile), or other geometry chosen with goodengineering judgment. Referring to FIGS. 7-11, as will be describedfurther herebelow the set of receptacles 105 may comprise a firstreceptacle 110, a second receptacle 111, and, optionally, one or moreother receptacles 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, in the non-limiting example shown, the backpanel 122 is substantially planar, rectangular, and has: a first backpanel surface 123; a second back panel surface 124 opposite the firstback panel surface 123; a top edge 125; a bottom edge 126 opposite thetop edge 125; a right edge 127 connecting the top edge 125 and thebottom edge 126; and a left edge 128 opposite the right edge 127,connecting the top edge 125, and the bottom edge 126. In thenon-limiting example shown, the set of side panels 130 has a top panel132, a bottom panel 134, a left panel 136, and a right panel 138.

In the non-limiting example shown, the top panel 132 is adjacent to,parallel to, and engaged with the top edge 125 of the back panel 122,and extends perpendicularly from the first back panel surface 123. Asshown in FIG. 1, the non-limiting example of the top panel 132 may besubstantially planar and rectangular. The non-limiting example of thebottom panel 134 is adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with thebottom edge 126 of the back panel 122, and extends perpendicularly fromthe first back panel surface 123. As shown in FIG. 2, the non-limitingexample of the bottom panel 134 may be substantially planar andrectangular. The non-limiting example of the left panel 136 is adjacentto, parallel to, and engaged with the left edge 127 of the back panel122, and extends perpendicularly from the first back panel surface 123.As shown in FIG. 3, the non-limiting example of the left panel 136 maybe substantially planar and rectangular. The non-limiting example of theright panel 138 is adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with the rightedge 128 of the back panel 122, and extends perpendicularly from thefirst back panel surface 123. As shown in FIG. 4, the non-limitingexample of the right panel 138 may be substantially planar andrectangular. Each of the panels 132, 134, 136, 138 in the set of sidepanels 130 may be engaged with the back panel by one or more of anadhesive, or a mechanical fastener. An adhesive may be any adhesivechosen with good engineering judgment. A mechanical fastener may be ascrew, a bolt, a nut, a clip, a clamp, a pin, a variety of split ringcaptured pin fastener 140, or other fastener chosen with goodengineering judgment.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-13, each receptacle 110, 111, 112, 113, 114,115, 116, 117, 118, 119 in the set of receptacles 105 is removablyengaged to at least one other receptacle by a first set of mechanicalfasteners 140. For each receptacle 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116,117, 118, 119 at least one of the panels in the set of side panels 130is adjacent to and parallel with at least one of the panels in the setof side panels 130 of another receptacle. For each receptacle 110, 111,112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 any one of the panels in the setof side panels 130 may be engaged in the alternative with any one of thepanels in the set of side panels 130 of any other receptacle. In somenon-limiting examples, each of the receptacles in the set of receptacles105 is substantially identical in size and shape. In other non-limitingexamples, one or more of the receptacles in the set of receptacles 105is substantially different in size, or is substantially different inshape, or is substantially different in both size and shape from one ormore of the other receptacles in the set of receptacles 105.

In some non-limiting examples, each of the receptacles in the set ofreceptacles 105 is substantially identical in size and shape such thateach is congruent with each other, each receptacle is a prism having anaxis of elongation, the receptacles are collectively arranged in anarray in which each axis of each prism is parallel with each other axisof each other prism and the array tessellates the plane perpendicular tothe axes of the prisms in a repeating pattern. It is to be understoodthat these repeating patterns are periodic.

In some non-limiting examples, the set of receptacles 105 is defined bya first sub-set of receptacles 107 and a second sub-set of receptacles109 wherein each of the receptacles in the first sub-set of receptacles107 is substantially identical in size and shape to every otherreceptacle in the first sub-set of receptacles 107 such that each of thereceptacles in the first sub-set of receptacles 107 is congruent witheach of the other receptacles in the first sub-set of receptacles 107and wherein each of the receptacles in the second sub-set of receptacles109 is substantially identical in size and shape to every otherreceptacle in the second sub-set of receptacles 109 such that each ofthe receptacles in the second sub-set of receptacles 109 is congruentwith each of the other receptacles in the second sub-set of receptacles109, but wherein the receptacles in the first sub-set of receptacles 107differ in size or shape or both from that of the receptacles in thesecond sub-set of receptacles 109. In some of these latter non-limitingexamples, each receptacle in the first sub-set of receptacles 107, andeach receptacle in the second sub-set of receptacles 109 is a prismhaving an axis of elongation, the receptacles in the first sub-set ofreceptacles 107, and in the second sub-set of receptacles 109 arecollectively arranged in an array in which each axis of each prism isparallel with each other axis of each other prism, and the arraytessellates the plane perpendicular to the axes of the prisms in anon-repeating pattern. It is to be understood that these non-repeatingpatterns are aperiodic. One non-limiting example of such an aperiodicpattern is a Penrose tiling such as the Penrose P2 tiles, also known asthe kite and dart tiles. The kite tile is a quadrilateral whose fourinterior angles are 72, 72, 72, and 144 degrees. The dart tile is anon-convex quadrilateral whose four interior angles are 36, 72, 36, and216 degrees.

A split ring captured pin fastener 140 may be used to provideoperational engagement within a receptacle, such as fastening a sidepanel to a back panel in a receptacle. The fasteners 140 may be pressedthrough a panel, such as without limitation, press through a side panelinto a top panel or bottom, or pressed through the back panel into aside panel, to facilitate engagement. Alternatively, fasteners may beheld in threaded engagement with one or more panels by male or femalethreads. Alternatively, fasteners may be held in engagement with one ormore panels by spurs or clips or clamps.

A split ring captured pin fastener 140 may be used to provideoperational engagement between two receptacles, such as fastening a sidepanel of a first receptacle 110 to a side panel of a second receptacle111. Referring now to FIG. 12, in one non-limiting example a split ringcaptured pin fastener 140 may comprises a male pin 150 and femalehousing 160. The male pin 150 defines an axis of elongation 151 and maycomprise a female engagement portion 152 and a part engagement portion153. The part engagement portion 153 is adapted for engagement with afirst part. The first part may be a back panel 122, or a panel in a setof side panels 130, or another part of a receptacle 110. In thenon-limiting example shown in FIG. 12, the part engagement portion 153comprises the fastening elements 156 of a screw. In certain examples,the part engagement portion 153 may comprise the fastening elements of ascrew, a bolt, a nut, another threaded component, a clip, a clamp,spurs, or another fastener chosen with good engineering judgment. Thefemale engagement portion 152 is adapted for engagement with the femalehousing 160. In the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 12, femaleengagement portion 152 is a substantially cylindrical shaft comprising anarrow saddle 154. The saddle 154 is adapted for engagement by a splitring 170. In the non-limiting example shown as the male pin is initiallyinserted through the split ring, it opens the split ring 170, deformingit elastically, and increasing the elastic energy stored in the splitring 170. As the male pine 150 is further inserted, the split ring willcloses around the narrow saddle 154 and thereby engage the male pin.When the saddle 154 of male pin 150 is engaged with the split ring 170,the split ring creates substantial resistance to axial movement of themale pin 150 along the axis of elongation 151 and thereby retains themale pin 150 in the split ring 170. This engagement between the male pin150 and the split ring 170 is vibration resistant and will not disengageunless a critical disengagement force is applied to input deformationenergy into the split ring 170 sufficient to permit the male pin to beremoved. In the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 12, the split ring170 is captured by and held substantially fixed by and within the femalehousing 160 so that as the split ring 170 retains the male pin 150 inthe split ring 170, it also retains the male pin 150 within the femalehousing 160. The female housing 160 in turn comprises a part engagementfeature 164. The part engagement feature 164 is adapted for engagementwith a second part. The second part may be a back panel 122, or a panelin a set of side panels 130, or another part of a receptacle 110. In thenon-limiting example shown in FIG. 12, the part engagement feature 164comprises the fastening elements 166 of a screw. In certain examples,the part engagement feature 164 may comprise the fastening elements 166of a screw, a bolt, a nut, another threaded component, a clip, a clamp,spurs, or another fastener chosen with good engineering judgment. Byengaging the first part to the part engagement portion 153 of the malepin 150, and by engaging the second part to the part engagement feature164 of the female housing 160, the nature of the engagement of the firstpart to the second part may be controlled by the nature of theengagement of the male pin 150 to the female housing 160, which as notedabove is a function of the engagement of the male pin 150 to the splitring 170.

The split ring 170 may comprise an elastic material such as a polymer,or elastic metal or elastic metal alloy. The elasticity of the materialof which the split ring is comprised may be chosen with good engineeringjudgment. As shown in FIGS. 12-13, in certain non-limiting examples, thesplit ring 170 may comprise an axis of elongation 171 that, as installedin the split ring captured pin fastener 140 will coincide with axis 151.As shown in FIGS. 12-13, in certain non-limiting examples, the splitring 170 may comprise a ring having an inside diameter and an outsidediameter. The split ring 170 may comprise an insertion chamfer 172 atthe top of the inner diameter. An insertion chamfer 172 may be angledwith respect to the axis of elongation 171 by some insertion angle 173and may provide a sloping surface in the direction of insertion, thatis, the direction along which the male pin 150 is moved in order toinsert it into the split ring 170, in order to facilitate insertion. Thesplit ring 170 may comprise a desertion chamfer 174 at the bottom of theinner diameter. A desertion chamfer 174 may be angled by some desertionangle 175 with respect to the axis of elongation 171 and may provide asloping surface in the direction of desertion, that is, the directionalong which the male pin 150 is moved in order to withdraw it from thesplit ring 170, in order to facilitate withdraw. As shown in FIG. 12, incertain non-limiting examples, the male pin 150 may comprise aninsertion chamfer 157 and a desertion chamfer 158. An insertion chamfer157 may be angled with respect to the axis of elongation 151 and mayprovide a sloping surface in the direction of insertion, that is, thedirection along which the male pin 150 is moved in order to insert itinto the split ring 170, in order to facilitate insertion. A desertionchamfer 158 may be angled with respect to the axis of elongation 151 andmay provide a sloping surface in the direction of desertion, that is,the direction along which the male pin 150 is moved in order to withdrawit from the split ring 170, in order to facilitate withdraw. In certainexamples, one or more of the inside diameter 177 of the split ring 170,the outside diameter 178 of the split ring 170, the height 179 of thesplit ring 170, the material of which the split ring is comprised, theelasticity of the material of which the split ring is comprised, theangle of the insertion chamfer 172 with respect to the axis ofelongation 151, the angle of the desertion chamfer 174 with respect tothe axis of elongation 151, the angle of the insertion chamfer 157 withrespect to the axis of elongation 151, the angle of the desertionchamfer 158 with respect to the axis of elongation 151, may be chosen toprovide the desired force or range of forces needed to engage the malepin 150 with the female housing 160 and to provide the desired force orrange of forces needed to disengage the male pin 150 from the femalehousing 160.

One type of split ring captured pin fastener 140 is available fromLockdowel, Inc. in Fremont, Calif.

In the non-limiting example shown in FIGS. 1-11, each receptacle 110,111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 may be assembled byfastening the left and right side panels to the top and bottom panels,and then fastening the back panel to the top, bottom, left, and rightside panels. Either the left and right side panels or the top and bottompanels may have openings for receiving fasteners, such as mechanicalfastener 140, for allowing each receptacle 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115,116, 117, 118, 119 to be engageable to another receptacle 110, 111, 112,113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119. In one aspect, the receptacles 110,111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 may be stackable usingspring pins or other mechanical fasteners 140, which can be insertedinto the top and bottom surfaces of the left and right side panels. Thereceptacles 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 may also beconnected side to side as well. The outer surfaces of the left and rightside panels may have openings which can receive additional fasteners forconnecting receptacles 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119side to side.

With reference now to FIGS. 7-11, the completed receptacles 110, 111,112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 can be stacked and connected in avariety of ways. FIG. 7 shows two receptacles 110, 111 stacked on top ofeach other. In one aspect, spring pins are inserted into a firstreceptacle 110 having two openings on the top surface of both the leftand right side panels. A second receptacle 111, with two openings on thebottom surface of both the left and right side panels is connected tothe first receptacle 110 and the two are connected via the spring pinsor mechanical fasteners 140.

FIG. 14 shows one non-limiting example of a second non-limiting exampleof a first receptacle 210 of a storage receptacle stacking system whichcomprises a set of receptacles 205. The first receptacle 210 is ahollow, open rectangular prism. The first receptacle 210 is defined by aback panel 222 and a set of side panels 230 and a set of top and bottompanels 290. In the second non-limiting example of first receptacle 210,the first receptacle 210 is a rectangular prism and, the set of sidepanels 230 has two panels, the set of top and bottom panels 280 has twopanels. The two side panels 230 and the top and bottom panels 280collectively define each side of the four sides of the rectangular prismbase defined by the rectangular back panel 222. The set of receptacles205 may comprise a first receptacle 210, a second receptacle, and,optionally, one or more other receptacles.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, in the non-limiting example shown, theback panel 222 is substantially planar, rectangular, and has: a firstback panel surface 223; a second back panel surface 224 opposite thefirst back panel surface 223; a top edge 225; a bottom edge 226 oppositethe top edge 225; a right edge 227 connecting the top edge 225 and thebottom edge 226; and a left edge 228 opposite the right edge 227,connecting the top edge 225, and the bottom edge 226. In thenon-limiting example shown, the set of side panels 230 has a left panel236, and a right panel 238. In the non-limiting example shown, the setof top and bottom panels 280 has two panels, top panel 232, a bottompanel 234.

In the second non-limiting example shown, the top panel 232 is adjacentto, parallel to, and engaged with the top edge 225 of the back panel222, and extends perpendicularly from the first back panel surface 223.As shown in FIG. 16, the non-limiting example of the top panel 232 maybe substantially planar and rectangular. The non-limiting example of thebottom panel 234 is adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with thebottom edge 226 of the back panel 222, and extends perpendicularly fromthe first back panel surface 223. As shown in FIG. 16, the non-limitingexample of the bottom panel 234 may be substantially planar andrectangular. The non-limiting example of the left panel 236 is adjacentto, parallel to, and engaged with the left edge 227 of the back panel222, and extends perpendicularly from the first back panel surface 223.As shown in FIG. 16, the non-limiting example of the left panel 236 maybe substantially planar and rectangular. The non-limiting example of theright panel 238 is adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with the rightedge 228 of the back panel 222, and extends perpendicularly from thefirst back panel surface 223. As shown in FIG. 18, the non-limitingexample of the right panel 238 may be substantially planar andrectangular. Each of the panels 232, 234, 236, 238 may be engaged withthe back panel 222, or the top panel 232, or the bottom panel 234, byone or more of an adhesive, or a mechanical fastener. An adhesive may beany adhesive chosen with good engineering judgment. A mechanicalfastener may be chosen from the fasteners 191 shown in FIG. 19. Thefasteners 191 may comprise a cinch joint 193 comprising a female cinchjoint component 194, and a male cinch joint component 195, or a springpin 197, or a combination thereof. A mechanical fastener may furthercomprise a screw, a bolt, a nut, a clip, a clamp, a pin, a variety ofsplit ring captured pin fastener 140, or other fastener chosen with goodengineering judgment.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-19, in the second example, each receptacle 210in the set of receptacles is removably engaged to at least one otherreceptacle by a first set of mechanical fasteners such as, withoutlimitation, mechanical fastener 197, or mechanical fastener 193, ormechanical fastener 140. Receptacle 210 may be joined to other similarreceptacles 210 in a variety of orientations. The top and bottom panels234, 232 comprise connection apertures 246, 247, 248 on each of threeedge surfaces 256, 257, 258. In the non-limiting second example, thesize and shape of the edge surface 256, 257, 258 are the same betweenone another and the location and size of the connection apertures 246,247, 248 on each edge surface are the same; the edges are all congruentand the geometry of the connection apertures 246, 247, 248 on any edgesurface 256, 257, 258 would coincide with the geometry of the connectionapertures 246, 247, 248 on any other edge surface 256, 257, 258 ifsuperimposed thereon. The result is that the receptacle 210 comprises aset of connection apertures that permit the receptacle 210 to beconnected with a similar receptacle 210: in parallel; perpendicular; oranti-parallel to one another as viewed looking down at the top panel232. That is, a first receptacle 210 may be arranged with a similarsecond receptacle 210 with the left side panel 236 of the firstreceptacle 210 adjacent to the right side panel 238 of the secondreceptacle 210 such that the connection apertures 246 of the firstreceptacle 210 are operatively aligned with the connection apertures 248of the second receptacle 210 and such that a set of spring pins 197 orother mechanical fastener chosen with good engineering judgment can beoperatively engaged with the operatively aligned connection apertures tojoin the first receptacle 210 and second receptacle 210 in parallel,with their front openings 215 facing the same direction. Similarly, afirst receptacle 210 may be arranged with a similar second receptacle210 with the left side panel 236 of the first receptacle 210 adjacent tothe back panel 222 of the second receptacle 210 such that the connectionapertures 246 of the first receptacle 210 are operatively aligned withthe connection apertures 247 of the second receptacle 210 and such thata set of spring pins 197 or other mechanical fastener chosen with goodengineering judgment can be operatively engaged with the operativelyaligned connection apertures to join the first receptacle 210 and secondreceptacle 210 perpendicularly, with their front openings 215 facing at90 degrees to one another. Similarly, a first receptacle 210 may bearranged with a similar second receptacle 210 with the left side panel236 of the first receptacle 210 adjacent to the left side panel 236 ofthe second receptacle 210 such that the connection apertures 246 of thefirst receptacle 210 are operatively aligned with the connectionapertures 246 of the second receptacle 210 and such that a set of springpins 197 or other mechanical fastener chosen with good engineeringjudgment can be operatively engaged with the operatively alignedconnection apertures to join the first receptacle 210 and secondreceptacle 210 in anti-parallel, with their front openings 215 facingopposite one another.

In the second non-limiting example, each of the receptacles 210 may besubstantially identical in size and shape to one another such that eachis congruent with each other. In the second non-limiting example, eachreceptacle 210 is a prism having an axis of elongation, the receptaclesare collectively arranged in an array in which each axis of each prismis parallel with, perpendicular to, or anti-parallel with each otheraxis of each other prism.

In some examples, the receptacles are formed in such a way that thepanels are operatively engaged by mechanical fasteners and theoperatively engaged panels shroud the mechanical fasteners connectingthem, such that the mechanical fasteners operatively engaging the panelsnot visible in the finished receptacles.

Further examples consistent with the present subject matter are set outin the following numbered clauses.

Clause 1. A storage receptacle stacking system comprising a set ofreceptacles having at least a first receptacle and a second receptacle,wherein each receptacle is in the form of an open rectangular prismdefined by a substantially planar rectangular back panel having a firstback panel surface, the rectangular back panel defined by, a top edge, abottom edge opposite the top edge, a right edge connecting the top edgeand the bottom edge, and a left edge opposite the right edge, connectingthe top edge and the bottom edge, and a set of side panels having asubstantially planar rectangular top panel, adjacent to, parallel to,and engaged with the top edge of the back panel, extendingperpendicularly from the first back panel surface, a substantiallyplanar rectangular bottom panel, adjacent to, parallel to, and engagedwith the bottom edge of the back panel, and extending perpendicularlyfrom the first back panel surface, a substantially planar rectangularleft panel, adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with the left edge ofthe back panel, and extending perpendicularly from the first back panelsurface, a substantially planar rectangular right panel, and adjacentto, parallel to, and engaged with the right edge of the back panel, andextending perpendicularly from the first back panel surface; whereineach receptacle is removably engaged to at least one other receptacle bya first set of mechanical fasteners such that, for each receptacle, atleast one of the panels in the set of side panels is adjacent to andparallel with at least one of the panels in the set of side panels ofanother receptacle; and any one of the panels in the set of side panelsmay be engaged in the alternative with any one of the panels in the setof side panels of any other receptacle.

Clause 2. The storage receptacle stacking system of clause 1, whereineach of the receptacles is substantially identical in size and shape.

Clause 3. The storage receptacle stacking system of clauses 2 or 3,wherein, each of the back panels of each of the receptacles is identicalin size and shape; each of the top panels of each of the receptacles isidentical in size and shape; each of the bottom panels of each of thereceptacles is identical in size and shape; each of the left panels ofeach of the receptacles is identical in size and shape; and each of theright panels of each of the receptacles is identical in size and shape.

Clause 4. The storage receptacle stacking system of clauses 1-3, whereineach of the receptacles is substantially identical in construction.

Clause 5. The storage receptacle stacking system of clauses 1-4,wherein, in each of the receptacles, each side panel is selectablyengageable with each side panel of every other receptacle.

Clause 6. The storage receptacle stacking system of clauses 1-5,wherein, each side panel is selectably and alternatively engageable witheach other side panel of another receptacle by a first type ofmechanical fastener; each of the first type of mechanical fastenerincludes an engagement couple that has a first component adapted forselectable engagement with a second component by an associated user; andeach of the first components of each first type of mechanical fasteneris alternatively engageable with each of the second components of eachfirst type of mechanical fastener.

Clause 7. The storage receptacle stacking system of clauses 1-6 wherein,each engagement couple includes, a male pin, the male pin beingsubstantially cylindrical and having an exterior diameter, a height, aninsertion chamfer, and a desertion chamfer; and a female housing havinga split ring, the split ring being substantially cylindrical and havingan interior diameter, an exterior diameter, a height an insertionchamfer corresponding to the insertion chamfer of the male pin, and adesertion chamfer corresponding to the desertion chamfer of the malepin; and wherein the first component is the male pin and the secondcomponent is the female housing, or the first component is the femalehousing and the second component is the male pin.

Clause 8. The storage receptacle stacking system of clauses 1-7, whereinthe set of receptacles has more than two receptacles.

Clause 9. The storage receptacle stacking system of clauses 1-8, whereinthe set of receptacles has six or more receptacles.

Clause 10. A method for using a storage receptacle stack system,comprising providing a storage receptacle stacking system having a setof receptacles having at least a first receptacle and a secondreceptacle, wherein each receptacle is in the form of an openrectangular prism defined by a substantially planar rectangular backpanel having a first back panel surface, the rectangular back paneldefined by, a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a rightedge connecting the top edge and the bottom edge, and a left edgeopposite the right edge, connecting the top edge and the bottom edge,and a set of side panels having a substantially planar rectangular toppanel, adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with the top edge of theback panel, extending perpendicularly from the first back panel surface,a substantially planar rectangular bottom panel, adjacent to, parallelto, and engaged with the bottom edge of the back panel, and extendingperpendicularly from the first back panel surface, a substantiallyplanar rectangular left panel, adjacent to, parallel to, and engagedwith the left edge of the back panel, and extending perpendicularly fromthe first back panel surface, a substantially planar rectangular rightpanel, and adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with the right edge ofthe back panel, and extending perpendicularly from the first back panelsurface, wherein each receptacle is removably engaged to at least oneother receptacle by a first set of mechanical fasteners such that, foreach receptacle, at least one of the panels in the set of side panels isadjacent to and parallel with at least one of the panels in the set ofside panels of another receptacle; and any one of the panels in the setof side panels may be engaged in the alternative with any one of thepanels in the set of side panels of any other receptacle; and engagingthe first receptacle to the second receptacle by the first set ofmechanical fasteners such that at least one of the panels in the set ofside panels of the first receptacle is adjacent to and parallel with atleast one of the panels in the set of side panels of the secondreceptacle.

Clause 11. The method for using a storage receptacle stack system ofclause 10, wherein each of the receptacles is substantially identical insize and shape; each of the back panels of each of the receptacles isidentical in size and shape; each of the top panels of each of thereceptacles is identical in size and shape; each of the bottom panels ofeach of the receptacles is identical in size and shape; each of the leftpanels of each of the receptacles is identical in size and shape; eachof the right panels of each of the receptacles is identical in size andshape; each of the receptacles is substantially identical inconstruction; and in each of the receptacles, each side panel isselectably engageable with each side panel of every other receptacle.

Clause 12. The method for using a storage receptacle stack system ofclauses 10 or 11, wherein each side panel is selectably andalternatively engageable with each other side panel of anotherreceptacle by a first type of mechanical fastener, each of the firsttype of mechanical fastener includes an engagement couple that has afirst component adapted for selectable engagement with a secondcomponent by an associated user, and each of the first components ofeach first type of mechanical fastener is alternatively engageable witheach of the second components of each first type of mechanical fastener;and wherein, each engagement couple includes, a male pin, the male pinbeing substantially cylindrical and having an exterior diameter, aheight, an insertion chamfer, and a desertion chamfer, and a femalehousing having a split ring, the split ring being substantiallycylindrical and having an interior diameter, an exterior diameter, aheight an insertion chamfer corresponding to the insertion chamfer ofthe male pin, and a desertion chamfer corresponding to the desertionchamfer of the male pin, and wherein the first component is the male pinand the second component is the female housing, or the first componentis the female housing and the second component is the male pin.

Clause 13. The method for using a storage receptacle stack system ofclauses 10-12, wherein the set of receptacles has more than tworeceptacles.

Clause 14. The method for using a storage receptacle stack system ofclauses 10-13, wherein the set of receptacles has six or morereceptacles.

Clause 15. A storage receptacle stacking system comprising a set ofreceptacles having at least a first receptacle and a second receptacle,wherein each receptacle is in the form of an open rectangular prismdefined by a substantially planar rectangular back panel having a firstback panel surface, the rectangular back panel defined by, a top edge, abottom edge opposite the top edge, a right edge connecting the top edgeand the bottom edge, and a left edge opposite the right edge, connectingthe top edge and the bottom edge, and a set of side panels having asubstantially planar rectangular top panel, adjacent to, parallel to,and engaged with the top edge of the back panel, extendingperpendicularly from the first back panel surface, a substantiallyplanar rectangular bottom panel, adjacent to, parallel to, and engagedwith the bottom edge of the back panel, and extending perpendicularlyfrom the first back panel surface, a substantially planar rectangularleft panel, adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with the left edge ofthe back panel, and extending perpendicularly from the first back panelsurface, a substantially planar rectangular right panel, and adjacentto, parallel to, and engaged with the right edge of the back panel, andextending perpendicularly from the first back panel surface; whereineach receptacle is removably engaged to at least one other receptacle bya first set of mechanical fasteners such that, for each receptacle, atleast one of the panels in the set of side panels is adjacent to andparallel with at least one of the panels in the set of side panels ofanother receptacle; and any one of the panels in the set of side panelsmay be engaged in the alternative with any one of the panels in the setof side panels of any other receptacle; wherein each of the receptaclesis substantially identical in size and shape; wherein, each of the backpanels of each of the receptacles is identical in size and shape, eachof the top panels of each of the receptacles is identical in size andshape, each of the bottom panels of each of the receptacles is identicalin size and shape, each of the left panels of each of the receptacles isidentical in size and shape, and each of the right panels of each of thereceptacles is identical in size and shape; wherein each of thereceptacles is substantially identical in construction; wherein, in eachof the receptacles, each side panel is selectably engageable with eachside panel of every other receptacle; wherein, each side panel isselectably and alternatively engageable with each other side panel ofanother receptacle by a first type of mechanical fastener, each of thefirst type of mechanical fastener includes an engagement couple that hasa first component adapted for selectable engagement with a secondcomponent by an associated user, and each of the first components ofeach first type of mechanical fastener is alternatively engageable witheach of the second components of each first type of mechanical fastener;wherein, each engagement couple includes, a male pin, the male pin beingsubstantially cylindrical and having an exterior diameter, a height, aninsertion chamfer, and a desertion chamfer; and a female housing havinga split ring, the split ring being substantially cylindrical and havingan interior diameter, an exterior diameter, a height an insertionchamfer corresponding to the insertion chamfer of the male pin, and adesertion chamfer corresponding to the desertion chamfer of the malepin; and wherein the first component is the male pin and the secondcomponent is the female housing, or the first component is the femalehousing and the second component is the male pin; and wherein the set ofreceptacles has six or more receptacles.

Various examples have been described above for providing a modularfurniture item. Those skilled in the art will understand, however, thatchanges and modifications may be made to those examples withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the following claims and theirequivalents.

The examples have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses mayincorporate changes and modifications without departing from the generalscope of the present teachings. It is intended to include all suchmodifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope ofthe appended claims or the equivalents thereof. Although the descriptionabove contains much specificity, this should not be construed aslimiting the scope of the present teachings, but as merely providingillustrations of some of the examples of the present teachings. Variousother examples and ramifications are possible within its scope.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness ofunderstanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understoodtherefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in theart upon reading this disclosure. Accordingly, the present subjectmatter is not intended to be limited by the specific exemplificationspresented hereinabove. Rather, what is intended to be covered is withinthe spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Furthermore, notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameterssetting forth the broad scope of the present subject matter areapproximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examplesare reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however,inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from thestandard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

I/We claim:
 1. A storage receptacle stacking system comprising: a set ofreceptacles having at least a first receptacle and a second receptacle,wherein each receptacle is in the form of an open rectangular prismdefined by a substantially planar rectangular back panel having a firstback panel surface, the rectangular back panel defined by, a top edge, abottom edge opposite the top edge, a right edge connecting the top edgeand the bottom edge, and a left edge opposite the right edge, connectingthe top edge and the bottom edge, and a set of side panels having asubstantially planar rectangular top panel, adjacent to, parallel to,and engaged with the top edge of the back panel, extendingperpendicularly from the first back panel surface, a substantiallyplanar rectangular bottom panel, adjacent to, parallel to, and engagedwith the bottom edge of the back panel, and extending perpendicularlyfrom the first back panel surface, a substantially planar rectangularleft panel, adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with the left edge ofthe back panel, and extending perpendicularly from the first back panelsurface, a substantially planar rectangular right panel, and adjacentto, parallel to, and engaged with the right edge of the back panel, andextending perpendicularly from the first back panel surface; whereineach receptacle is removably engaged to at least one other receptacle bya first set of mechanical fasteners such that, for each receptacle, atleast one of the panels in the set of side panels is adjacent to andparallel with at least one of the panels in the set of side panels ofanother receptacle; and any one of the panels in the set of side panelsmay be engaged in the alternative with any one of the panels in the setof side panels of any other receptacle.
 2. The storage receptaclestacking system of claim 1, wherein each of the receptacles issubstantially identical in size and shape.
 3. The storage receptaclestacking system of claim 2, wherein, each of the back panels of each ofthe receptacles is identical in size and shape; each of the top panelsof each of the receptacles is identical in size and shape; each of thebottom panels of each of the receptacles is identical in size and shape;each of the left panels of each of the receptacles is identical in sizeand shape; and each of the right panels of each of the receptacles isidentical in size and shape.
 4. The storage receptacle stacking systemof claim 1, wherein each of the receptacles is substantially identicalin construction.
 5. The storage receptacle stacking system of claim 4,wherein, in each of the receptacles, each side panel is selectablyengageable with each side panel of every other receptacle.
 6. Thestorage receptacle stacking system of claim 5, wherein, each side panelis selectably and alternatively engageable with each other side panel ofanother receptacle by a first type of mechanical fastener; each of thefirst type of mechanical fastener includes an engagement couple that hasa first component adapted for selectable engagement with a secondcomponent by an associated user; and each of the first components ofeach first type of mechanical fastener is alternatively engageable witheach of the second components of each first type of mechanical fastener.7. The storage receptacle stacking system of claim 6 wherein, eachengagement couple includes, a male pin, the male pin being substantiallycylindrical and having an exterior diameter, a height, an insertionchamfer, and a desertion chamfer; and a female housing having a splitring, the split ring being substantially cylindrical and having aninterior diameter, an exterior diameter, a height an insertion chamfercorresponding to the insertion chamfer of the male pin, and a desertionchamfer corresponding to the desertion chamfer of the male pin; andwherein the first component is the male pin and the second component isthe female housing, or the first component is the female housing and thesecond component is the male pin.
 8. The storage receptacle stackingsystem of claim 7, wherein the set of receptacles has more than tworeceptacles.
 9. The storage receptacle stacking system of claim 8,wherein the set of receptacles has six or more receptacles.
 10. A methodfor using a storage receptacle stack system, comprising the steps of:providing a storage receptacle stacking system having a set ofreceptacles having at least a first receptacle and a second receptacle,wherein each receptacle is in the form of an open rectangular prismdefined by a substantially planar rectangular back panel having a firstback panel surface, the rectangular back panel defined by, a top edge, abottom edge opposite the top edge, a right edge connecting the top edgeand the bottom edge, and a left edge opposite the right edge, connectingthe top edge and the bottom edge, and a set of side panels having asubstantially planar rectangular top panel, adjacent to, parallel to,and engaged with the top edge of the back panel, extendingperpendicularly from the first back panel surface, a substantiallyplanar rectangular bottom panel, adjacent to, parallel to, and engagedwith the bottom edge of the back panel, and extending perpendicularlyfrom the first back panel surface, a substantially planar rectangularleft panel, adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with the left edge ofthe back panel, and extending perpendicularly from the first back panelsurface, a substantially planar rectangular right panel, and adjacentto, parallel to, and engaged with the right edge of the back panel, andextending perpendicularly from the first back panel surface, whereineach receptacle is removably engaged to at least one other receptacle bya first set of mechanical fasteners such that, for each receptacle, atleast one of the panels in the set of side panels is adjacent to andparallel with at least one of the panels in the set of side panels ofanother receptacle; and any one of the panels in the set of side panelsmay be engaged in the alternative with any one of the panels in the setof side panels of any other receptacle; and engaging the firstreceptacle to the second receptacle by the first set of mechanicalfasteners such that at least one of the panels in the set of side panelsof the first receptacle is adjacent to and parallel with at least one ofthe panels in the set of side panels of the second receptacle.
 11. Themethod for using a storage receptacle stack system of claim 10, whereineach of the receptacles is substantially identical in size and shape;each of the back panels of each of the receptacles is identical in sizeand shape; each of the top panels of each of the receptacles isidentical in size and shape; each of the bottom panels of each of thereceptacles is identical in size and shape; each of the left panels ofeach of the receptacles is identical in size and shape; each of theright panels of each of the receptacles is identical in size and shape;each of the receptacles is substantially identical in construction; andin each of the receptacles, each side panel is selectably engageablewith each side panel of every other receptacle.
 12. The method for usinga storage receptacle stack system of claim 11, wherein each side panelis selectably and alternatively engageable with each other side panel ofanother receptacle by a first type of mechanical fastener, each of thefirst type of mechanical fastener includes an engagement couple that hasa first component adapted for selectable engagement with a secondcomponent by an associated user, and each of the first components ofeach first type of mechanical fastener is alternatively engageable witheach of the second components of each first type of mechanical fastener;and wherein, each engagement couple includes, a male pin, the male pinbeing substantially cylindrical and having an exterior diameter, aheight, an insertion chamfer, and a desertion chamfer, and a femalehousing having a split ring, the split ring being substantiallycylindrical and having an interior diameter, an exterior diameter, aheight an insertion chamfer corresponding to the insertion chamfer ofthe male pin, and a desertion chamfer corresponding to the desertionchamfer of the male pin, and wherein the first component is the male pinand the second component is the female housing, or the first componentis the female housing and the second component is the male pin.
 13. Themethod for using a storage receptacle stack system of claim 12, whereinthe set of receptacles has more than two receptacles.
 14. The method forusing a storage receptacle stack system of claim 13, wherein the set ofreceptacles has six or more receptacles.
 15. A storage receptaclestacking system comprising: a set of receptacles having at least a firstreceptacle and a second receptacle, wherein each receptacle is in theform of an open rectangular prism defined by a substantially planarrectangular back panel having a first back panel surface, therectangular back panel defined by, a top edge, a bottom edge oppositethe top edge, a right edge connecting the top edge and the bottom edge,and a left edge opposite the right edge, connecting the top edge and thebottom edge, and a set of side panels having a substantially planarrectangular top panel, adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with thetop edge of the back panel, extending perpendicularly from the firstback panel surface, a substantially planar rectangular bottom panel,adjacent to, parallel to, and engaged with the bottom edge of the backpanel, and extending perpendicularly from the first back panel surface,a substantially planar rectangular left panel, adjacent to, parallel to,and engaged with the left edge of the back panel, and extendingperpendicularly from the first back panel surface, a substantiallyplanar rectangular right panel, and adjacent to, parallel to, andengaged with the right edge of the back panel, and extendingperpendicularly from the first back panel surface; wherein eachreceptacle is removably engaged to at least one other receptacle by afirst set of mechanical fasteners such that, for each receptacle, atleast one of the panels in the set of side panels is adjacent to andparallel with at least one of the panels in the set of side panels ofanother receptacle; and any one of the panels in the set of side panelsmay be engaged in the alternative with any one of the panels in the setof side panels of any other receptacle; wherein each of the receptaclesis substantially identical in size and shape; wherein, each of the backpanels of each of the receptacles is identical in size and shape, eachof the top panels of each of the receptacles is identical in size andshape, each of the bottom panels of each of the receptacles is identicalin size and shape, each of the left panels of each of the receptacles isidentical in size and shape, and each of the right panels of each of thereceptacles is identical in size and shape; wherein each of thereceptacles is substantially identical in construction; wherein, in eachof the receptacles, each side panel is selectably engageable with eachside panel of every other receptacle; wherein, each side panel isselectably and alternatively engageable with each other side panel ofanother receptacle by a first type of mechanical fastener, each of thefirst type of mechanical fastener includes an engagement couple that hasa first component adapted for selectable engagement with a secondcomponent by an associated user, and each of the first components ofeach first type of mechanical fastener is alternatively engageable witheach of the second components of each first type of mechanical fastener;wherein, each engagement couple includes, a male pin, the male pin beingsubstantially cylindrical and having an exterior diameter, a height, aninsertion chamfer, and a desertion chamfer; and a female housing havinga split ring, the split ring being substantially cylindrical and havingan interior diameter, an exterior diameter, a height an insertionchamfer corresponding to the insertion chamfer of the male pin, and adesertion chamfer corresponding to the desertion chamfer of the malepin; and wherein the first component is the male pin and the secondcomponent is the female housing, or the first component is the femalehousing and the second component is the male pin; and wherein the set ofreceptacles has six or more receptacles.